read full post >

I've been waiting a while for the latest Whedon/Cassaday X-Men, and it seemed too short and ends with a cliff-hanger-- so it doesn't seem like enough. But I still enjoyed it. We finally get to find out why Emma Frost is double-dealing on the X-men, and get to see Kitty in action.

Emma's been secretly working for the Hellfire Club-- although there's a twist at the end that changes all of this, and I didn't feel like I knew enough about the Hellfire Club and Cassandra Nova to get it. But it's pretty interesting the way Emma is able to neutralize pretty much all of the X-Men (through dreams or mental constraints).

Some interesting interactions between Emma and Scott; I especially liked when he comes around and helps save the day. We finally find out that Colossus is the one destined to destroy the Breakworld (seems like that storyline has been hanging around for a while, so it will be nice to see what comes of it).

The artwork, as usual, is gorgeous. And there's even some bits of conversation in foreign languages, which made me miss Firefly a bit (and wonder where I can find translations).

Title:	Astonishing X-Men Volume 3: Torn
Author:	Joss Whedon (artwork by John Cassaday)
Date published:	2007
Genre:	Graphic Novel
Series:	Astonishing X-Men
Number of pages:	152

Read more...

read full post >

The highly-anticipated (at least by me and G.) follow-up to X-Men: Dangerous lived up to my expectations. It deals with the aftermath of the "mutant cure", specifically in the life of Wing, a young flying mutant who was injected with the serum in the last volume. The Fantastic Four also make an appearance, and it was fun to see those characters interacting. But most important and fascinating is Whedon's notion of the Danger Room coming to life-- and what outcome might result from an Artificial Intelligence devoted entirely to violence.

Whedon's writing continues to be subtle and funny-- hinting at more than one traitor in the midst of the X-Men, highlighting the differences between the characters as they are fighting. I love the moment when, after long and involved monologues by a few other characters, Wolverine's one thought is "I really like beer."

Danger is a wonderful character and a great villain; a perfect enemy for the X-Men since she knows their weaknesses so intimately. The plot for her freedom is so carefully and perfectly thought out to take advantage of the X-Men's reactions. The interaction with Xavier is also fascinating with a hint of mystery. This is a character I hope we will get to see again, at some point.

Title:	Astonishing X-Men Volume 2: Dangerous
Author:	Joss Whedon
Date published:	2005
Genre:	Graphic Novel
Series:	Astonishing X-Men
Number of pages:	144

Read more...

read full post >

I am enough of a fan of Joss Whedon's work in any medium to pick up almost anything he writes, so I managed to find the Comic Book section of my local Borders and purchase this volume, which collects the first 6 issues of Whedon's "Astonishing X-Men". It's amazing how easily he is able to weave together so many different plot threads-- particularly the idea that being a mutant is some kind of a disease which can now be cured, a cure which was funded and intended to be used for intergalactic political ends. Added to this are the mixed loyalties of people within and without the X-Men organization, and each character's own problems and memories.

I am not an expert on the X-Men at all, and mostly only know about them from the movies and the PlayStation games (which are quite good). So, it was fascinating to find out more about the characters I'd heard of, as well as meeting new ones (to me), such as the enigmatic Emma Frost and the very appealing Shadowcat (and, of course, the delightful interplay between them). Also interesting is the emotional reaction to the "cure" by the different characters-- such as Beast, who no longer looks human and who is tormented by the possibility of regaining his humanity and losing his fur.

Well-written and beautifully drawn. Plenty of witty dialog to amuse, along with and fascinating plot that leaves you wanting more at the end of the volume.

Title:	Astonishing X-Men Volume 1: Gifted
Author:	Joss Whedon; artwork by John Cassaday
Date published:	2004
Genre:	Graphic Novel
Number of pages:	152
Notes:	Repeat reading.

Read more...